Andy Schotz
City editor
The Frederick News-Post
Frederick, Md. @spjregion2EmailBio (click to expand)
Andy Schotz is a city editor for the Frederick News-Post in Frederick, Md.

He has been an SPJ member since 2002 and has held various positions on the Washington, D.C., Pro chapter board, including three consecutive one-year terms as president.

He served on the SPJ Ethics Committee from 2004 to 2011, including three years as chairman.

Schotz ran unsuccessfully for at-large director on the national SPJ board in 2012. The following year, he ran unopposed for Region 2 director.

He is a perennial SPJ contest judge (D.C. Pro Dateline Awards, SDX, Mark of Excellence, Green Eyeshade, high school essay) and has twice coordinated Region 2's Mark of Excellence contest.

He joined the SPJ Awards & Honors Committee in 2013 and helped work on a national survey seeking feedback about the MOE contest.

Before joining The Gazette in January 2013, Schotz worked for eight years as a reporter and editor at The Altamont Enterprise, a weekly paper in upstate New York, then for 13 years as a reporter for The Herald-Mail, a daily paper in Hagerstown, Md. He has worked at The Frederick News-Post since September 2015.

He is on the board of directors of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors.

Sarah Bauer, vice chair
Program Director
Minnesota Newspaper Association
612-278-0250 @sarah_mnE-mailBio (click to expand)
Sarah Bauer is the Program Director for the Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA). MNA is the trade association all Minnesota Newspapers, and represents the interests of more than 360 daily and weekly publications. Bauer plans all educational and outreach programs for the Association, including hands-on training for journalists, public forums on media issues, an annual excellence in journalism contest, and its annual convention.

Bauer speaks regularly about media ethics issues, community journalism, social media, and issues like the intersection of journalism and politics. Bauer graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in journalism and philosophy. She has been involved with the Society of Professional Journalists as member and chapter leader since she joined the University of Minnesotas chapter. Since 2006, Bauer has served on the MN Pro chapter board of directors, currently serving as the chapter president and chair of its annual journalism award contest and banquet. She is also the chairwoman of the Societys national membership committee.

2001 Mark of Excellence Region 8 Winners/Finalists

Editorial WritingWinner: Marshall Maher and Stephen Stetson, University of Texas-Austin
 Second Place: Editorial board, Texas Christian University
 Third Place: Brock Rutter, University of Texas at Arlington

Editorial CartooningWinner (tie): Brian Parrish, San Antonio College
Winner (tie): David DeGrand, University of Texas at Arlington
 Third Place: Chris Panatier, University of Texas-Austin

General Column WritingWinner: Claire Andres, San Antonio College
 Second Place: Brock Rutter, University of Texas at Arlington
 Third Place: Matt Stiles, University of Texas at Arlington

General News ReportingWinner: Daily O'Collegian staff, "Oklahoma State plane crash coverage," Oklahoma State University
 Second Place: Ram Luthra and Jaime Walker, "Stolen library artifacts series," Texas Christian University
 Third Place: Matt Ward, "Dream Denied; Guard, family to reunite; Guard to return with family after Ramadan," University of Texas at Arlington

In-Depth ReportingWinner: Johnny Lewis, Rachel Patton and David Lister, "Division I-A Football series," Southwest Texas State University
 Second Place: Celina Moreno, "Popping PUF," University of Texas-Austin
 Third Place: Cassie DeLozier, "Falling to Pieces," Oklahoma State University

Best All-Around Daily Student NewspaperWinner: The Daily Texan, University of Texas-Austin
 Second Place: The Daily O'Collegian, Oklahoma State University
 Third Place: The North Texas Daily, University of North Texas

Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper NewspaperWinner: The Shorthorn, University of Texas at Arlington
 Second Place: TCU Daily Skiff, Texas Christian University
 Third Place: The Daily University Star, Southwest Texas State University

Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper NewspaperWinner: The Ranger, San Antonio College
 Honorable Mention: The Logos, University of the Incarnate Word

General News PhotographyWinner: Matt Slocum, "Day of the dream," University of Texas at Arlington
 Second Place: Cynthia Esparza, "Elevator problem," San Antonio College

Feature PhotographyWinner: Charlie Ferguson, "Riding for their rights," University of Texas-Austin
 Second Place: Kevin Pieper, "Physics Portrait," Southwest Texas State University

Photo IllustrationWinner: Matt Slocum and Billy Smith II, "Facing mistrust," University of Texas at Arlington
 Second Place: Seth Schrock and Jeff Shaw, "What goes upÉ must come down," University of Texas at Arlington
 Third Place: David Dunai, "Adjusting to Learning," Texas Christian University

Sports PhotographyWinner: Matt Slocum, "Champions," University of Texas at Arlington
 Second Place: Brady Lane, "Hang on for the ride," Abilene Christian University
 Third Place: Matt Slocum, "Rice ends Mavs' season," University of Texas at Arlington